Health Library

Treating Syncope: Prevention

If you have been told that your fainting is not caused by a heart problem, you can help prevent fainting. And you can learn to respond to your body’s warning signs.

For your safety and the safety of others, limit your driving as instructed. Do not operate heavy machinery. Also, be careful not to engage in activities that could cause injury if you lose consciousness. Ask your healthcare provider what activities are safe for you.

Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to drink alcohol, as this can cause syncope in some people.

The role of medicine

Medicines sometimes can play a role in both causing and preventing syncope.

Your medicines may be changed or reduced. Blood pressure medicine may cause fainting. Certain combinations of medicines may also make you faint. And some nonprescription medicines, herbs, and teas may cause symptoms, too. Tell your healthcare provider about any medicine you’re taking and if you started using a new one recently.

Medicines may be prescribed. Taking certain medicines can help prevent fainting. Your healthcare provider can discuss these with you.

Do not use illicit or recreational drugs. These can worsen your risk factors or interfere with prescribed medicines that your healthcare provider has given you.

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